HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-10836 - OPPOSING NEW OR EXPANSION OF EXISTING OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASES OFF THE COASTRESOLUTION NO. 10836 (2017 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING NEW OR EXPANSION OF
EXISTING OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASES OFF THE COAST OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND SUPPORTING MEASURES TO
PROHIBIT DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS INTO THE OCEAN
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo values our state's ocean waters and coasts, which
provide habitat to a vast array of wildlife that depend on a healthy and clean environment; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo's residents and visitors enjoy our ocean, beaches,
mountains and abundance of diverse resources for recreation, exploration, and relaxation; and
tourism and recreation comprise a large part of the City's economy; and
WHEREAS, oil drilling presents a clear and ever-present danger to the health and safety
of residents, businesses and economies, with the threat of an oil spill potentially wreaking havoc
on ecosystems, on human health, and economic activities; and
WHEREAS, fracking and related techniques, where water and chemicals are injected
under high pressure to crack rock formations and free up petroleum products, are linked to water
and air pollution, health concerns, and harm to marine wildlife; and
WHEREAS, in 1969, a well failure off the coast of Santa Barbara fouled coastal waters
and caused catastrophic environmental damage, helping launch the modern environmental
movement, and in 2015 a pipeline servicing offshore oil platforms burst and fouled the coast,
damaging wildlife and coastal recreation; and
WHEREAS, there have been no offshore oil and gas leases in California since the 1969
disaster; and
WHEREAS, in December of 2016, President Obama signed an executive order that
banned any new oil and gas drilling of the coast of California under Section 12(a) of the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act; and
WHEREAS, on April 28, 2017, President Trump issued the "America First Offshore
Energy Executive Order" which could open the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans to oil and gas
drilling, fracking, and other well stimulation, putting California's coastal resources at risk of more
oil spills, increased greenhouse gas emissions, dependence on fossil fuels, and a delay in the
movement toward greater reliance on renewable energy; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of California, the State Senate, the State Lands Commission
and Cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, have called for no new federal offshore
leases in the Pacific Ocean, and several municipalities have called for limits to fracking including
Marin County, Alameda County, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, and Butte County.
R 10836
Resolution No. 10836 (2017 Series)
Page 2
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo recently made Climate Action a top city priority
with an overall goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by limiting our dependence on fossil
fuels; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo's Legislative Action Platform for 2017 includes
natural resource priorities including #66 "opposing any development under existing or new
offshore oil and gas leases off the Coast of San Luis Obispo County" and #67 "supporting measures
to prohibit discharge of pollutants into the ocean (e.g. selenium contaminated waters from the San
Joaquin Valley)."
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Resolution No. 10836 (2017 Series)
Page 3
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
as follows:
SECTION 1. That the City of San Luis Obispo hereby supports in state and federal waters
in the Pacific Ocean along the United States, 1) a ban on new drilling, fracking, and related
techniques, 2) no new or expansion of existing oil and gas leases and a phase-out of all oil and gas
extraction, and 3) a framework for responsible renewable energy development.
Upon motion of Vice Mayor Rivoire, seconded by Council Member Gomez, and on the following
roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Christianson, Gomez and Pease,
Vice Mayor Rivoire and Mayor Harmon
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 3rd day of October, 2017.
ATTEST:
Heidi
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk
APPROVED AS
Dietrick, City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, this /'44-h day of J
-r
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk